Match ReportIf Basford are going to win the league, and they said they would right at the beginning of the season, then Coleshill will come very close as they pushed the title favourites all the way! Town maybe gave the visitors to much respect in the first half and went a goal down to former Coleshill forward Stuart Hendrie after only 4 minutes. But they dominated the second half and really deserved more than an honourable defeat!

Local brothers Lee and Stuart Hendrie were in the visitors starting line up, one ex-Coleshill and one ex-Aston Villa and the Nottingham based team showed why they are among the front runners with a confident start. They took the lead after only four minutes when a corner was only half cleared and Stuart Hendrie had time and space in the box to pick his spot and bend the ball round home keeper Chris Jay and into the net! The last thing Town needed! A goal down so early on! United were in no mood to let Town back into the game and hassled and hunted in packs breaking up any Coleshill momentum sometimes with some questionable tackling! But United had to reshuffle twice losing Sam Craven first then Willis Francis, both before half time. Coleshill took advantage and slowly came more into the game although Basford were extremely dangerous on the break with the pace of Wiggins-Thomas and the turbo-charged Blair Anderson! Shane Benjamin slammed a shot against the bar and headed wide at a stretch from a corner. Danny Douglas had a header saved at the foot of the post by the impressive Saul Deeney and then the keeper saved at Jonathan Jones's feet after being put through by Dean Rathbone. At the other end Chris Jay saved an Anderson shot and Ryan Whitehurst shot just inches wide of the post.

Honours were even at the start of the second half but Coleshill were building up a head of steam! Deeney made a great save from a Benjamin header. Matt Brown set up Benjamin but his rushed shot went well over. Tom Weale, Shane Benjamin combined to set up Jon Jones but again the keeper was off his line quick to save at Jones's feet. the Hendrie brothers both had goalbound shots blocked, Anderson's cross along the six yard line only needed a touch and it was in and Danny Douglas threw himself infront of a thunder shot from Whitehurst. Coleshill were giving their all but time was running out! Every attacking substitute was used in a "go for it" formation! Ryan Nash nearly scored with his first touch but shot just wide! And then the inevitable happened! Ruben Wiggins-Thomas broke away with just five minutes to go and increased the lead but he did look miles off-side, I would like to see the replay please! Gutted! Still time! Weale shot blocked, Rathbone shot saved, Anderson hits the side netting, 90 minutes up, Nash crosses and Douglas gets a glancing header and it's in the net! Get In! Dying seconds and another Tom Weale long throw and a Shane Benjamin goalbound header but Deeney's there again and as he pushes the ball away Ryan Nash shoots goalward and Deeney is there again with yet another great save!

Basford United showed tremendous spirit to register a backs to the wall team victory at 3rd placed Coleshill United to claim 3 excellent points.

After the disappointment of Tuesday nights loss to Rocester manager Martin Carruthers demanded a vast improvement from his group, and got just that as Basford registered by a country mile the best team working performance of the campaign.

Making the tough decisions to leave 3 senior players back in Nottingham and minus new signing Dion Miekle who was unavailable for the game as Basford manager Carruthers got what he demanded and a display packed with commitment, back to the wall defending and fine counter attacking football.

Basford got off to the perfect start as Stu Hendrie opened the scoring three minutes in after good work by blair anderson.

In a close 1st period United's had to overcome the loss of the returning Sam Craven and Willis Francis early in the game through injury with Ryan Whitehurst and Joe Coxon doing really well as replacements.

However despite the player losses it didn't disrupt the spirit as Basford fought and challenged for every ball.

Ex Notts County keeper Saul Deeney was called into significant action tipping an effort onto the cross bar. United though had good 1st half chances with the home keeper denying blair anderson and then later in the half a flashing volley from Ryan Whitehurst was inches wide. As the half progressed it became the Saul Denney show, as he made a fine 1 on 1 stop and him and his defenders dealt with everything hurled into the box.

As the game entered the 2nd period Deeney saved Basford on no less than 3 occasions early on with fine saves. United though were giving as good as they were taking and Ryan Whitehurst had an effort cleared off the line.As the game entered the last 20 the pressure mounting on the United goal was intense and a great show by the United rear guard who dealt with a barrage of aerial deliveries and had for once that bit of luck that has deserted us so far this campaign.

Desperate to close the game and gain a crucial 2nd goal cushion , the brilliant Lee Hendrie was so close with a a fine effort that just cleared the ball. Moments later the wingman blair anderson burst through but was denied by a brilliant block from the home keeper.

With the home side really asked significant questions of the Basford backline, next up for United Ruben Wiggins-Thomas was so close to sealing the game but delayed shooting after faced one on one. Not to be denied though Wiggins-Thomas got the crucial goal on 86 minutes. This time played through on goal the striker kept his poise to roll home for a crucial 2nd goal advantage. The two goal margin proved so important as finally the home side registered on 90 minutes as Danny Douglas guided home a deft header for 2-1.

Still time for the visitors to force a further barrage of corners and one more stunning save from Deeney as United held out for as good a 3 points registered in a long long time.

Many congratulations to all involved yesterday and the bravery of Carruthers in his team selection, this will hopefully send a message that to succeed this campaign it has to be all about a team ethic and one that listens to instruction which was observed brilliantly by the troops yesterday.

Next up for United Kirby Muxloe at Basford next Sat in another really important game.